After seven years in the Warehouse District, Traverse City's Mammoth Distilling is relocating to East Front Street. Founder Chad Munger tells The Ticker the company's move - which he calls a business-driven decision - will ideally take place before Labor Day weekend, with Mammoth's new tasting room to be located in the former Le Macaron space at 332 East Front Street next to Nolan's.

Mammoth's lease is set to expire on Garland Street in early 2026, according to Munger. "We needed to make a choice to renew or find another space, and finding another space takes time," he says. "This space (on Front Street) popped up, which prompted us to think more seriously about it."

Several factors prompted Munger to choose relocating, including construction impacting the Warehouse District and the continued deterioration of an adjacent building - both issues that are affecting foot traffic, Munger says. "Because that's out of our control, we needed to move from a business point of view," he says. "We're bummed to be leaving, because it's home for us...but there's just a lot more visibility on Front Street." Munger points to the "huge amount of attention" the company has already received since putting "Coming Soon" signs up in the Front Street window Wednesday.

The new location is slightly smaller than the Warehouse District space: Mammoth won't have the private event room it has now, though could have one in the future, Munger says. But there will be three times as much bar seating on Front Street, he notes, plus outdoor seating. Mammoth is expected to go before the Traverse City commission soon for license approval, followed by state approvals.

"With any luck, we'll get something open in August before Labor Day," he says. Munger is hopeful a good tenant can take over the current Warehouse District space, pointing to its commercial kitchen (the spot hosted restaurants in the past) and established neighbors like The Workshop Brewing Company. "Hopefully something good happens here," he says.